Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: Achillea millefolium Inflorescences (AMI) is one of the oldest and most well-known medicinal plants with potential antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of three different doses of hydroalcoholic extract of AMI on in vitro fertilization and embryonic development process in mice.

Methods: Twenty-four male white laboratory NMRI mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group 1 received normal saline (0.1 ml/kg); group 2, 3, and 4 received hydroalcoholic extract of AMI at doses of 75, 150, and 300mg/kg, respectively. Treatment were continued for 35 days. At the end, the mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation, Cauda Epididymis were used to collect sperms, and rate of in vitro fertilization and embryonic development were examined in all groups. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests.

Results: In the groups receiving low and medium doses of AMI extract, fertilization rate and the number of blastocysts increased and the number of arrested embryos was reduced, which was not significant compared to the control group. But in the group receiving high dose of the extract, fertilization rate and the number of blastocysts decreased (p<0.05) and the number of arrested embryos significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.01).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, hydroalcoholic extract of AMI has a dose-dependent manner, so that at low and medium doses had no significant effect, but at high dose reduced in vitro fertilization and embryos development.